This book proposes that a new and global logic of business management is emerging. It focuses on SE Asia and challenges conventional wisdom about the growth of SE Asian economies and the dynamics of business systems in the region.
The first 6 Chapters of this book explore the historical and economic forces that have brought bought SE Asia’s success. This section challenges several myths about the regions economic growth and reveals some interesting statistics of where capital investments were really coming from and why the region’s economies were so vulnerable to a financial crisis. In exploring these dynamics, the Overseas Chinese communities are presented as having a special and significant role in SE Asia’s development.
In Chapter 7 the author changes focus by asking the fundamental question of whether a ‘critical event’, such as the financial crisis, can bring about change to SE Asia’s business systems – particularly that of the Overseas Chinese. That is to say, was the financial crisis really that significant? This fascinating line of questioning reveals that it is not ‘significant events’ that change societies and systems but ‘significant interactions’. That is, the world is changing and moving to a new and global logic not simply because there is an increase in global communication and technology, but because there is an increase in the amount and degree of significant global interactions. Global ‘logic’ is a business management system of creating and managing ‘significant’ interactions. The old industrial paradigm of order and control is now antiquated as ‘change’ itself becomes a fundamental characteristic of global-minded business management.
To demonstrate how the global approach to business management will affect SE Asian business, as well as business everywhere, Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11 look at how global logic is affecting 4 key areas of business management:
1 Redefining Competition
2 A Global Management Approach
3 A Global Marketing Approach
4 Global Business Strategies for Southeast Asian Business
The concluding Chapter 12 - Engaging the Future: Critical Conversations for Southeast Asian Business, looks at the responses by government and business to the SE Asian crisis in the post-crisis period and moves to present a matrix for management in a world of ‘significant conversations.
One of the strengths of this book is its interdisciplinary approach with a focus of business management. It draws upon a wide range of social science and business management scholarship – management, sociology, economics, history and business system theory. It is the integration of these various sources that provides the reader with a fresh and intelligent approach to impact and challenges of globalisation.
Dr. Reynolds is a business consultant and lecturer in International Business and Marketing. Dr. Reynolds completed his PH.D. and Masters Degrees at Claremont Graduate University, one of America’s most prestigious universities, where he was heavily influences by Peter Drucker and Alvin Toffler. His study of law, ethics and government, combined with several prominent executive management positions provide Dr. Reynolds with an objective foundation to teach and practice business.
Dr. Reynolds has held appointments as Professional and Senior Professional Staff with the US Senate and House of Representatives in the United States and worked on several projects with White House staff receiving a Commendation for his work. In Australia, Dr. Reynolds held the position of Executive Officer with the Nfor the World Trade Centre, Sydney at its inception.
Now based in the Middle East, Dr. Reynolds worked for a number of years in Southeast Asia and was a member of the Brunei Economic Development Council Subcommittee on Oil and Gas Diversification, and the Chair of the APEC 2000 Study Centre Consortium Meeting.
Dr. Reynolds’ unique qualifications and experience give him a broad base to write and teach on global business and marketing issues.
